A posh school refused permission for a new sports pitch because it would spoil the view from Durham Cathedral has won a planning wrangle.

A posh school refused permission for a new sports pitch because it would spoil the view from Durham Cathedral has won a planning wrangle.

Top public school Durham School did not anticipate a problem when it applied to construct an all-weather pitch in its grounds.

But Durham City Council threw out the first application and a modified version.

The council claimed the pitch next to the School Chapel, in Durham City, would have had a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the city centre Conservation Area, in which the school lies.

The governors appealed to secretary of state John Prescott and now a planning inspector has overturned the council's decision and granted permission for the pitch.

School head Neil Kern said: "It is absolutely fantastic for us, we are really delighted.

Mr Kern said several other schools in the surrounding area would be offered use of the pitch.